"Times are tough. Budgets are very high. All the towns have the same problem,'' voter Michael Sabbarese said.

He said he thinks the budget process this year was a good one, but people are struggling, so it's a challenge to try to pass a budget everyone can endorse.

"I never think it's high enough, but it's what we have to work with,'' resident Julie Kerton said.

The town is in a catch 22, she added, between a desire to make schools the best they can be and striving to keep taxes in check because "people are struggling to pay their bills."

More than 450 people participated in the town meeting earlier this month, most of them education supporters concerned that the schools were not given a fair shake.

But town leaders, including the Board of Finance, argued they attempted to strike a fair balance between municipal services and education and took into account the factor of declining enrollment in reducing the school board's request by almost $1 million.

In the end, the Board of Education has made careful reductions that will reduce some staff, but most of it will be accomplished through attrition. Eighteen veteran teachers accepted an early retirement package

A third world language for Whisconier Middle and the high school will not be added this year, and pay-to-participate fees were increased by $50 at the middle school and high school.

Former Republican Selectman George Walker lamented the low turnout as he was leaving the polling place, but he said the budget was "thoroughly and passionately'' debated and he was hopeful it would pass.

"It's a good thing,'' declared Assistant Schools Superintendent Genie Slone when it was clear the budget passed on the first try.